12-24-06
Sorry, you must have Windows Media Player 9 or higher. This is a large file which may take a few seconds to start Windows Media Real Audio MP3 (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Mat 2:1,2) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [house of bread] of Judaea [celebrated] in the days of Herod the king [a ruthless Idumean descendant of Esau (Edom), and not the rightful heir to the throne of David], behold, there came wise men from the east [in a caravan] to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come [in a westward direction - tabernacle] to worship him. 1. (John 6:48) I am that bread of life. 2. Herod = Gk: (a "hero"); heroic /// a view, i.e. form (lit. or fig.):--appearance, fashion, shape, sight. 3. Commentary: Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons: Jacob = faith (spiritual) and Esau = sight (natural). 4. (2 Cor 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) [i.e. the lineage of Jacob, not Esau] 5. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary: The Herodian dynasty made its way into Palestine through Antipater, an Idumean by descent. The Idumeans were of Edomite stock as descendants of Esau. After Herod became governor of Galilee, he quickly established himself in the entire region. For 33 years he remained a loyal friend and ally of Rome. Later, he was appointed as king of Judea, where he was in direct control of the Jewish people. This required careful diplomacy because [although practicing the Jewish faith] he was always suspect by the Jews as an outsider (Idumean). Herod the Great established his authority and influence through a centralized bureaucracy, well-built fortresses, and foreign soldiers. According to Matthew’s account, Herod tried to eliminate Jesus by having all the male infants of the Bethlehem region put to death. 6. The Living Bible: Herod was afraid that this newborn king would one day take his throne. He completely misunderstood the reason for Christ’s coming. Jesus didn’t want Herod’s throne, He wanted to give him eternal life, not take away his present life. Today people are often afraid that Christ wants to take things away when, in reality, He wants to give them real freedom, peace, and joy. 7. wise (men) = Dictionary: 1. having or showing good judgment; sagacious; prudent; discreet. 2. prompted by wisdom; judicious; sound (a wise saying, wise action). 3. having information; informed. (wise implies the ability to judge and deal with persons, situations, etc. rightly, based on a broad range of knowledge, experience, and understanding.) (Mat 2:3-6) When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled [stirred up or agitated], and all Jerusalem with him [why?]. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes [the Sanhedrin] of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule [shepherd] my people Israel. 1. (Micah 5:2) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah [fruitfulness], though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel [have dominion, governor, reign, have power]; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Mat 2:7,8) Then Herod, when he had privily [privately: secretly] called the wise men, inquired of them diligently [exactly: circumspectly, perfectly /// most exactly] what time the star appeared [why?]. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. (Mat 2:9-11) When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child [vs. “the babe lying in a manger” Luke 2:16] with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 1. Commentary: How many wise men were there? Which was their best gift? 2. (Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present [yield] your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Amen Previous Chapter Table Of Contents Next Chapter Click here to download a printable version of this message Click here to download a DOC version of this message
This is a large file which may take a few seconds to start
Real Audio
MP3
(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(Mat 2:1,2) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [house of bread] of Judaea [celebrated] in the days of Herod the king [a ruthless Idumean descendant of Esau (Edom), and not the rightful heir to the throne of David], behold, there came wise men from the east [in a caravan] to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come [in a westward direction - tabernacle] to worship him.
1. (John 6:48) I am that bread of life.
2. Herod = Gk: (a "hero"); heroic /// a view, i.e. form (lit. or fig.):--appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
3. Commentary: Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons: Jacob = faith (spiritual) and Esau = sight (natural).
4. (2 Cor 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) [i.e. the lineage of Jacob, not Esau]
5. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary: The Herodian dynasty made its way into Palestine through Antipater, an Idumean by descent. The Idumeans were of Edomite stock as descendants of Esau. After Herod became governor of Galilee, he quickly established himself in the entire region. For 33 years he remained a loyal friend and ally of Rome. Later, he was appointed as king of Judea, where he was in direct control of the Jewish people. This required careful diplomacy because [although practicing the Jewish faith] he was always suspect by the Jews as an outsider (Idumean). Herod the Great established his authority and influence through a centralized bureaucracy, well-built fortresses, and foreign soldiers. According to Matthew’s account, Herod tried to eliminate Jesus by having all the male infants of the Bethlehem region put to death.
6. The Living Bible: Herod was afraid that this newborn king would one day take his throne. He completely misunderstood the reason for Christ’s coming. Jesus didn’t want Herod’s throne, He wanted to give him eternal life, not take away his present life. Today people are often afraid that Christ wants to take things away when, in reality, He wants to give them real freedom, peace, and joy.
7. wise (men) = Dictionary: 1. having or showing good judgment; sagacious; prudent; discreet. 2. prompted by wisdom; judicious; sound (a wise saying, wise action). 3. having information; informed. (wise implies the ability to judge and deal with persons, situations, etc. rightly, based on a broad range of knowledge, experience, and understanding.)
(Mat 2:3-6) When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled [stirred up or agitated], and all Jerusalem with him [why?]. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes [the Sanhedrin] of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule [shepherd] my people Israel.
1. (Micah 5:2) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah [fruitfulness], though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel [have dominion, governor, reign, have power]; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
(Mat 2:7,8) Then Herod, when he had privily [privately: secretly] called the wise men, inquired of them diligently [exactly: circumspectly, perfectly /// most exactly] what time the star appeared [why?]. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
(Mat 2:9-11) When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child [vs. “the babe lying in a manger” Luke 2:16] with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
1. Commentary: How many wise men were there? Which was their best gift?
2. (Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present [yield] your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Amen
Previous Chapter